LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — A coalition of Pennsylvania organizations are urging Luzerne County election officials to adopt pro-voter principles in their planning for future elections. In order to protect the freedom to vote and prevent barriers to the ballot, the organizations are calling on the county to take measures that include ensuring the availability of voting options and voter education materials.
The eight groups detailed the “Pro-Voter Agenda” in a letter sent to the Luzerne County Board of Elections. The agenda calls on officials to adopt policies that ensure: accessible ballot drop boxes, expanded early voting sites, fully-staffed polling places, election information mailed to all voters, expanded access to the ballot for people with limited English proficiency, robust and transparent public meeting schedules, and funding that protects the freedom to vote.
“To uphold an inclusive democracy that welcomes every voter’s chance to participate, pro-voter policies are needed that ensure integrity, equity, and transparency in our elections. The ability to meaningfully participate in our democracy is a civil rights issue. And the freedom to vote must be safeguarded, with no exceptions,” the groups wrote. “There are strong and ready solutions to many of our most significant voting problems. Luzerne County has the opportunity to be a consistent leader in how elections are run in Northeastern Pennsylvania and the Commonwealth.”
The full letter can be found here and was signed by the following organizations:
Action Together NEPA
All Voting Is Local PA
Freedom Fighters
In This Together NEPA
UNA
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Wyoming Valley
We Can’t Wait PA Statewide Coalition
Wilkes-Barre NAACP